World record progression 800 metres freestyle


The first world record in the men's 800 metres freestyle in long course swimming was recognised by the International Swimming Federation in 1908. In the short course swimming events the world's governing body recognizes world records since March 3, 1991.
Until the 1960s, a world record set in the slightly longer 880 yard race could be considered a world record in the 800 metres freestyle.
The first world record in the women's 800 metres freestyle in long course swimming was recognised by the International Swimming Federation in 1931. The women's 880 yard freestyle had been a FINA-recognised world record event since 1919. However, in 1931 FINA decreed that only performances from 1931 onward would be eligible for world record consideration in the 800 metres freestyle. Thus Helene Madison's 1930 world record of 11:41.2 in the 880 yard freestyle was not considered a world record in the 800 metres freestyle even though it was over a longer distance and substantially faster than Yvonne Godard's 1931 world record of 12:18.8 in the 800 metres freestyle. In 1933, Lenore Kight swam the 880 yard freestyle in 11:44.0, which FINA recognised as a world record in the 800 metres freestyle but not in the 880 yard freestyle. This irregularity was finally resolved in 1935, when Kight's 11:34.4 in the 880 yard freestyle broke the records for both the 880 yard freestyle and the 800 metres freestyle. Because of this situation, the world records for the 880 yard freestyle for women from 1919 to 1930 are included below.

Men

Long course

Short course

Women

Long course

Short course

All-time top 25

Men

PosTimeSwimmerDateVenue
17:32.1229 July 2009Italy
27:35.2729 July 2009Italy
37:38.5727 July 2011China
47:38.6527 July 2005Canada
57:39.1624 July 2001Japan
67:39.2724 July 2019South Korea
77:40.7726 July 2017Hungary
87:41.2824 July 2019South Korea
97:41.7326 July 2017Hungary
107:41.8627 July 2011China
117:42.0824 July 2019South Korea
127:42.4915 April 2019Sweden
137:42.6424 July 2019South Korea
147:43.0315 April 2019Sweden
157:43.6031 July 2013Spain
167:43.749 August 2018Japan
177:43.8429 July 2009Italy
187:44.025 August 2015Russia
197:44.2631 July 2013Spain
207:44.3229 July 2009Italy
217:44.9427 July 2011China
227:45.1912 August 2018Japan
237:45.5526 July 2011China
247:45.6327 July 2005Canada
257:45.9223 August 2019Hungary

Women

PosTimeSwimmerDateVenue
18:04.7912 August 2016Brazil
28:14.1016 August 2008China
38:14.6430 March 2019China
48:14.9927 July 2019South Korea
58:15.4629 July 2017Hungary
68:15.5418 August 2014Great Britain
78:15.7027 July 2019South Korea
88:15.921 August 2009Italy
98:16.2220 August 1989Japan
108:16.3310 April 2019United States
118:16.3712 August 2016Brazil
128:16.4327 July 2019South Korea
138:16.661 August 2009Italy
148:16.7022 April 2009France
158:17.211 August 2009Italy
168:17.658 August 2015Russia
178:18.145 June 2016United States
188:18.5231 March 2007Australia
198:18.5512 August 2016Brazil
208:18.8031 March 2007Australia
218:19.434 September 2013China
228:19.5322 August 1987France
238:19.6722 September 2000Australia
248:19.704 April 2008United States
258:20.0221 August 2014Australia